Therapeutic, Fitness, and Sports Enhancement Device

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device which includes a cylindrically shaped body having a predetermined density and predetermined diameter, the body including a plurality of projections of a predetermined shape. One or more of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape of the projections optimize mobilization of soft tissue structures of the human body.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/375,996 filed on Apr. 5, 2019 which claimsbenefit and priority thereto under 35 U.S.C. § 119, 120, 363, 365 and 37C.F.R. §§ 1.55 and 1.78, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/375,996is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/592,915 filed on May 11, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,278,890), whichclaims benefit of and priority thereto under 35 U.S.C. § 119, 120, 363,365 and 37 C.F.R. §§ 1.55 and 1.78, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/592,915 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/005,380 filed on Jan. 25, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,656,112), whichclaims benefit of and priority thereto under 35 U.S.C. § 119, 120, 363,365 and 37 C.F.R. §§ 1.55 and 1.78, and Ser. No. 15/005,380 is adivisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/065,850filed on Mar. 31, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,921) which claimsbenefit of and priority thereto under 35 U.S.C. § 119, 120, 363, 365 and37 C.F.R. §§ 1.55 and 1.78, and Ser. No. 13/065,850 is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/827,361filed on Jul. 11, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,774), which claims thebenefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/831,726 filed Jul. 18, 2006. All said references are incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This subject invention relates to a therapeutic, fitness, and sportsenhancement device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional cylindrical foam rolls are often used for tissuemobilization, improving body core strength and balance training. Whenused for tissue mobilization, the user typically lies or sits on thecylindrical foam roll and moves back and forth to mobilize target softtissue. The benefits of soft tissue mobilization include, inter alia,decreased muscle soreness, relief from joint stress, decreasedneuromuscular hypertonicity, increased joint range motion, extensibilityof musculotendinous junctions, increased neuromuscular efficiency, andmaintenance of normal functional muscle length. These benefits enhancerecovery of injuries and also maximize sports performance and result inimproved fitness.

However, the completely cylindrical shape of a conventional foam rollminimizes the effect of tissue mobilization. Moreover, such a designoften results in the user falling off the cylindrically shaped foamroll, which is aggravating and cumbersome.

When used for body core strength and balance training, the usertypically stands or on the cylindrical foam roll device to enhancebalance, coordination and core strength. However, because the user caneasily fall off the cylindrical shaped foam roll, the effectiveness ofthe body core strength and balance training session is often minimized.

Smaller sized cylindrical foam rolls may be used to mobilize small softtissue structures, such as the foot, plantar fascia, heel, Achillestendon and associated calf tissue, elbow, wrist, knee, head, neck, andthe like, to assist in the recovery of plantar fasciitis or similar typeailments.

However, conventional smaller sized cylindrical foam rolls are typicallyineffective at mobilizing the soft tissue of small soft tissuestructures because they cannot effectively break up collagenous fiberstherein.

Conventional foot massaging devices and patient positioning devices areknown which may include rolls with projections or cone shaped rolls.See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,039,495, 5,359,739, 5,411,470, and6,764,456. However, the rolls and devices disclosed therein are limitedto a one diameter, one density, and a one type of shape of theprojections and thus fail to effectively mobilize soft tissue structuresof the human body.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancing device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device in which one or more of thedensity and diameter in combination with the shape of the projectionsmay be chosen to effectively mobilize soft tissue structures of thehuman body.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device which maximizes mobilization ofsoft tissue.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device which enhances flexibility.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device which improves body core strengthtraining.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device which optimizes soft tissuedistensibility.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device which improves balance training.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device which enhances recovery frominjury.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device which maximizes sportsperformance.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device which improves fitness.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device which improves mobilization ofthe soft tissue of small soft tissue structures.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device which effectively breaks upcollagenous fibers of soft tissue structures.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device which effectively helps treatplantar fasciitis.

This invention features a therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancementdevice including a cylindrically shaped body having a predetermineddensity and predetermined diameter, the body including a plurality ofprojections of a predetermined shape. One or more of the predetermineddensity and the predetermined diameter in combination with thepredetermined shape of the projections optimize mobilization of softtissue structures of the human body.

In one embodiment, one or more of the predetermined density and thepredetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape ofthe projections may optimize body core strength and optimize balancetraining. One or more of the predetermined density and the predetermineddiameter in combination with the predetermined shape may effectivelybreak up collagenous fibers of the soft tissue structures. One or moreof the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter incombination with the predetermined shape of the projections may enhanceflexibility of the soft tissue structures. One or more of thepredetermined density and the predetermined diameter in combination withthe predetermined shape of the projections may enhance distensibility ofthe soft tissue structures. The predetermined shape of the projectionsmay include a rounded shape, a curved shape, a triangle shape, a square,a notch shape, a cylindrical shape with rounded ends, and cylindricalshape with flat ends. The projections may longitudinally extend over alength of the body. The projections may extend perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of the body. The projections may radially extend fromthe body are at the same angles. The projections may radially extendfrom the body at different angles. The projections may be configured ina wave pattern. The projections may be configured in a Z pattern. Theprojections may be configured in a helical pattern. The projections maybe individually spaced in a predetermined pattern over the body. Thepredetermined pattern may include an aligned pattern of a plurality ofshaped projections. The predetermined pattern may include an offsetpattern of a plurality of shaped projections. The cylindrically shapedbody and the projections may be made of a pliable material. The pliablematerial may include a closed-cell foam material. The closed-cell foammaterial may include a chemically cross-linked polyethylene foam. Thepliable material may include expandable polyethylene. The pliablematerial may include plastic. The number of the projections may beconfigured to optimize mobilization of the soft tissue structures and/oroptimize body core and balance training and/or effectively break upcollagenous fibers of the soft tissue structures and/or enhanceflexibility of the soft tissue structures and/or enhance distensibilityof the soft tissue structures. The device may include a handle extendingthrough the body.

This invention also features a therapeutic, litness, and sportsenhancement device including a cylindrically shaped core having apredetermined diameter. An overlay is about the core having apredetermined density, the overlay including a plurality of projectionsof a predetermined shape. One or more of the predetermined density andthe predetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shapeof the projections optimize mobilization of soft tissue structures ofthe human body.

In one embodiment, one or more of the predetermined density and thepredetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape ofthe projections may effectively optimize body core strength and optimizebalance training. One or more of the predetermined density and thepredetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape ofthe projections may effectively break up collagenous fibers of the softtissue structures. One or more of the predetermined density and thepredetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape ofthe projections may enhance flexibility of the soft tissue structures.One or more of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameterin combination with the predetermined shape of the projections mayenhance distensibility of the soft tissue structures. The predeterminedshape of the projections may include a rounded shape, a curved shape, atriangle shape, a square, a notch shape, a cylindrical shape withrounded ends, and cylindrical shape with flat ends. The projectionslongitudinally may extend over a length of the body. The projections mayextend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body. The projectionsmay radially extend from the body are at the same angles. Theprojections may radially extend from the body at different angles. Theprojections may be configured in a wave pattern. The projections may beconfigured in a Z pattern. The projections may be configured in ahelical pattern. The projections may be individually spaced in apredetermined pattern over the body. The predetermined pattern mayinclude an aligned pattern of a plurality of shaped projections. Thepredetermined pattern may include an offset pattern of a plurality ofshaped projections. The cylindrically shaped body and the projectionsmay be made of a pliable material. The pliable material may include aclosed-cell foam material. The closed-cell foam material may include achemically cross-linked polyethylene foam. The pliable material mayinclude expandable polyethylene. The pliable material may include resin.The number of the projections may be configured to optimize mobilizationof the soft tissue structures and/or optimize body core and balancetraining and/or effectively break up collagenous fibers of the softtissue structures and/or enhance flexibility of the soft tissuestructures and/or enhance distensibility of the soft tissue structures.The device may include a handle extending through the body.

The subject invention, however, in other embodiments, need not achieveall these objectives and the claims hereof should not be limited tostructures or methods capable of achieving these objectives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled inthe art from the following description of a preferred embodiment and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional perspective side-view of one embodiment ofthe therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic end-view showing in further detail one embodimentof the projections shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another three-dimensional perspective side-view of thetherapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device shown in FIGS. 1 and2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic end-view showing another embodiment of theprojections of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic end-view showing an example of the shapedprojections shown in FIG. 4 extending at different angles;

FIG. 6 is a schematic end-view of another embodiment of the projectionsof this invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic end-view of yet another embodiment of theprojections of this invention;

FIGS. 8A-8E are schematic views showing additional embodiments of theprojections of this invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic top-views showing exemplary individualpatterns of the projections of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional side view showing three differentexamples of the therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device ofthis invention having different densities, diameter, and shapedprojections;

FIGS. 11A-11C and 11E-11M are three-dimensional views showing examplesof one embodiment of the therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancementdevice shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 10 used to mobilize exemplary soft tissuestructures of the human body in accordance with this invention:

FIG. 12A-12I are three-dimensional views showing examples of anotherembodiment of the therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement deviceshown in FIGS. 1-3 and 10 used to mobilize different exemplary softtissue structures of the human body in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic side-view showing one example of an extrusionprocess which may be used to manufacture the therapeutic, fitness, andsports enhancement device shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 14 is a schematic side-view showing one example of a moldingprocess which may be used to manufacture the therapeutic, fitness, andsports enhancement device shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 15 is a schematic end-views showing one example of a plurality ofbands which may be used to manufacture one embodiment of thetherapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device of this invention;

FIG. 16 is a three-dimensional perspective side-view of anotherembodiment of the therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device ofthis invention;

FIG. 17 is a three-dimensional perspective end-view of the therapeutic,fitness, and sports enhancement device shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a three-dimensional perspective side-view showing one exampleof end caps which may be utilized with the therapeutic, fitness, andsports enhancement device shown in FIGS. 1-16 of this invention;

FIG. 19A is a schematic side-view showing one embodiment of thetherapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device of this inventionwith a handle;

FIG. 19B is a schematic end-view of the therapeutic, fitness, and sportsenhancement device shown in FIG. 18A; and

FIG. 19C is another schematic end-view of the therapeutic, fitness, andsports enhancement device shown in FIG. 18A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aside from the preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosed below, thisinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orbeing carried out in various ways. Thus, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangements of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. If only oneembodiment is described herein, the claims hereof are not to be limitedto that embodiment. Moreover, the claims hereof are not to be readrestrictively unless there is clear and convincing evidence manifestinga certain exclusion, restriction, or disclaimer.

There is shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of therapeutic, fitness, andsports enhancement device 10 of this invention including cylindricallyshaped body 12 having a predetermined density and predetermineddiameter. Body 12 includes a plurality of projections 14 of apredetermined shape. One or more of the predetermined density and thepredetermined diameter of body 12 in combination with the shape of theprojections effectively mobilize soft tissue structures of the humanbody, as discussed in further detail below.

Body 12 with projections 14 is preferably made of a pliable material,e.g., a closed-cell foam material, e.g., a chemically, cross-linkedclosed-cell polyethylene foam, such as MINICEL® L200, L300 or L380,available from Sekisui Voltek (Lawrence, Mass.). In other examples, body12 may be made of expandable polyethylene (EPE) or a plastic typematerial using foam fabricators, as known by those skilled in the art.Other similar type of pliable materials and closed-cell foams known tothose skilled in the art may also be utilized to manufacture device 10.

In one example, the density of body 12, the diameter, d-13, FIG. 2, ofbody 12 in combination with and the shape of projections 14 arepreferably chosen to effectively mobilize soft tissue structures of thehuman body. The soft tissue structures mobilized in one embodiment mayinclude, inter alia, the Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Rhomboids, Mid/LowerBack, Glutes/Piriformis. Hip Rotators, Hamstrings, IT band, Calf, andShins. In this example, which may be referred to as the “soft” device10, the density of the pliable material of body 12 is preferably in therange of about 2.0 lb/ft³ to about 6.0 lb/ft². The diameter, d-27, istypically in the range between about 3 inches to about 15 inches, e.g.,about 7 inches. In this example, cylindrically shaped body 12, FIG. 3,preferably has a length, l-31, between about 18 inches and 36 inches. Inone preferred example, body 12 has a diameter of about 7 inches and alength of about 18 inches. In another example, body 12 has a diameter ofabout 7 inches and a length of about 36 inches.

The shape projections 14 may be rounded, as shown at 17, FIGS. 2 and 3.In other designs, the shape of projections 14 may have triangle-shaped,as shown in FIG. 4. In this example, the projections 14 may radiallyextend from body 12 at the same angle. In other examples, projections14, FIG. 5, may radially extend from body 12 at different angles, asindicated at 20, 22, and 24. In other examples, projections 14, FIG. 6,may be cylindrically shaped with rounded ends or may also becylindrically shaped with flat ends, as shown in FIG. 7. Projections 14,FIGS. 1-7, may also extend over the length, l-31, FIGS. 1 and 3 of body12, e.g., in a right angle pattern, as shown in FIG. 8A, in a helicalpattern, as shown in FIG. 8B, in a wave pattern, as shown in FIG. 8C, ina Z pattern, as shown in FIG. 8D, or in a pattern perpendicular tolongitudinal axis 15, as shown in FIG. 8E. In other designs, theplurality of shaped projections 14 may extend over body 12 in anindividual pattern as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Each of the plurality ofshaped projections 14, FIGS. 1-9B, preferably radially, extends about ⅛inch to about 3 inches from body 12, e.g., as shown by r-70, FIG. 2. Inone example, “soft” device 10, FIGS. 1-3, may include eleven projections14. In another example, “soft” device 10, FIG. 10, indicated at 41, mayhave twelve projections 14. In other examples, device 10 may have as fewas 6 projections or as many as 20 projections 14, although device 10 mayhave any number of projections of various shapes, disclosed above,depending on the therapeutic use of device 10.

In another example, one or more of the density of body 12 and thediameter of body 12 in combination with the shape of projections 14 arepreferably chosen to mobilize soft tissue structures of the human bodywhich may include, inter alia, the Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Rhomboids,Rotator cuff, Glutes/Piriformis, Iliotibial band, Achilles tendon, Calf,feet, Head and Neck. In this example, often referred to as “firm” device10, the density of the pliable material of body 12 is in the range ofabout 2.0 lb/ft² to about 12 lb/ft², e.g., preferably about 4 lb/ft².The diameter, d-27, FIG. 2, of body 12 is in the range of about 3 inchesto about 8 inches, e.g., preferably about 3.5 or 7 inches. The length ofbody 12, length l-31, FIG. 3, is in the range of about 2 inches to about36 inches. In one preferred example, body 12 has a diameter of about 3inches and a length of about 8 inches. In yet another example, body 12has a diameter of about 3.5 inches and a length of about 12 inches. Inyet another example, body 12 has a diameter of about 7 inches and alength of about 18 inches. In another example, body 12 has a diameter ofabout 7 inches and a length of about 36 inches. Similar as discussedabove, the plurality of shaped projections 14 have a predeterminedshaped as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-10 and preferablyradially extend about ⅛ inch to about 3 inches from body 12. FIG. 10shows on example of“firm” device 10, indicated at 43. In this example,projections 14 may have a triangle shape as shown. In this design,device 10 has about thirteen projections 14, although device 10 couldhave any number of projections of various shapes, discussed above,depending on the therapeutic use of device 10.

In yet another example, the one or more of density of body 12 and thediameter of body 12 in combination with the shape of projections 14 arepreferably chosen to mobilization soft tissue structures of the humanbody which may include, inter alia, the Quadriceps, Hamstrings,Rhomboids, Upper Trapezius. Forearm, Rotator cuff, Glutes, Piriformis,Calf, Feet, Head and Neck. In this example, which may be referred to as“hard” device 10, the density of the pliable material of body 12 is inthe range of about 4.0 lb/ft² to about 12 lb/ft³, e.g., preferably about6 lb/ft³. The diameter, d-27, FIG. 2, of body 12 is in the range ofabout 3 inches to about 8 inches, e.g., preferably about 3.5 or 7inches. The length of body 12, length l-31, FIG. 3, is in the range ofabout 2 inches to about 36 inches. In one preferred example, body 12 hasa diameter of about 3 inches and a length of about 8 inches. In yetanother example, body 12 has a diameter of about 3.5 inches and a lengthof about 12 inches. In another example, body 12 has a diameter of about7 inches and a length of about 18 inches. In another example, body 12has a diameter of about 7 inches and a length of about 36 inches.Similar as discussed above, the plurality of shaped projections 14 havea predetermined shaped as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-10and preferably radially extend about ⅛ inch to about 3 inches from body12. FIG. 10 shows an example of device 10, indicated at 45. In thisexample, device 10 may include about seven projections with a curvedshape as shown, although device 10 may have any number of projections ofvarious shapes, discussed above, depending on the therapeutic use ofdevice 10.

In the examples above, one or more of the predetermined density and thepredetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape ofthe projections effectively mobilize soft tissue structures of the humanbody. In other examples, one or more of the predetermined density andpredetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape ofthe projections may be chosen to effectively optimize body core strengthand optimize balance training and/or efficiently break up collagenousfibers of soft tissue structures and/or enhance flexibility of softtissue structures and/or enhance distensibility of soft tissuestructures. Moreover, projections 14 stabilize device 10 when used forbody core strength and balance training.

Examples of the operation of therapeutic, fitness and sports enhancementdevice 10 with projections 14 of one or more embodiments of thisinvention used to mobilize soft tissue structures of the human bodyand/or effectively optimize body core strength and optimize balancetraining and/or efficiently break up collagenous fibers of soft tissuestructures and/or enhance flexibility of soft tissue structures and/orenhance distensibility of soft tissue structures are shown in FIGS.11A-11M. For example, FIG. 11A shows an example of device 10 being usedto mobilize the soft tissue of Quadriceps 98. When moved back and forthin direction 100, projections 14 extend into the soft tissue ofQuadriceps 98 and mobilize Quadriceps 98. This breaks up the collagenousfibers of the Quadriceps 98, enhances flexibility and enhancesdistensibility of Quadriceps 98.

In other examples, therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device10 may be used in a similar manner as discussed above with reference toFIG. 11A to mobilize soft tissue structures of the Iliotibial band(ITB), as shown in FIG. 11B, the inner thigh, as shown in FIG. 11C, theGlutes, as shown in FIG. 11E, the Piriformis, as shown in FIG. 11F, theHamstrings, as shown in FIG. 10G, the Lumbar region, as shown in FIG.11H, the Rhomboids, as shown in FIG. 11I, the Thoracic region (Mid/LowerBack), as shown in FIGS. 11J and 11K, the Shins, as shown in FIG. 11L,and the calf, as shown in FIG. 11M.

Examples of the operation of “firm” and/or “hard” therapeutic, fitness,and sports enhancement device 10 used to mobilize soft tissue structuresof the human body, break up collagenous fibers and/or enhanceflexibility and/or enhance distensibility are shown in FIGS. 12A-12I.For example, device 10 may be used to effectively mobilize soft tissue,break up collagenous fibers and/or enhance flexibility anddistensibility of the Neck, as shown in FIG. 12A, the upper Neck, asshown in FIG. 12B, the upper Trapezius, as shown in FIG. 2C, theshoulder and Rotator cuff, as shown in FIG. 12D, the Rhomboids, as shownin FIG. 12E, the Lower Back, as shown in FIG. 12F, the arch of the foot,as shown in FIG. 12G, the Achilles, as shown in FIG. 12I, and the Calf,as shown in FIG. 12I.

The result is therapeutic, fitness and sports enhancement device 10 witha unique combination of one or more of density and diameter and theshape of projections 14 maximizes mobilization of soft tissuestructures. Typical target soft tissue mobilized by the plurality ofshaped projections 14 may include muscles, tendons, ligaments fascia ofthe human body and the like. Mobilization of soft tissue by projections14 massages soft tissue and breaks up scar tissue. This increasesflexibility of soft tissue, decreases muscle soreness, relieves jointstress, decreases neuromuscular hypertonicity, increases joint rangemotion and extensibility of musculotendinous junctions, optimizes softtissue distensibility, increases neuromuscular efficiency, increasesflexibility and helps maintain normal functional muscle length. Thesebenefits enhance recovery of injuries when used as a therapeutic tool,maximize sports performance, and improved fitness. Device 10 alsooptimizes body core strength and optimizes balance training.

In one example, therapeutic fitness and sports enhancement device 10,FIGS. 1-12I may be manufactured using extrusion process as know by thoseskilled in the art. In this example, raw material in the form ofgranules of plastic, e.g., polyethylene, is put hopper 150, FIG. 13, andfed into heated chamber 152. Press 154 pushes the material in chamber152 through die 156. Die plate has the shape of body 12 with projections14. In this example, die 14 has a shape similar to body 12, FIGS. 1-3,with rounded projections 14. In other examples, die 156 can be shapedwith any configuration to manufacture device 10 with the projectionsshaped as shown in FIGS. 1-9B, or any other various shape known by thoseskilled in the art. The extruded material is then allowed to cure in acontrolled temperature room to strengthen the material and provide amore finished look to device 10.

In another example, therapeutic fitness and sports enhancement device10, FIGS. 1-12I may be manufactured using molding process, as known tothose skilled in the art. In this example, raw material, e.g., beads ofexpandable polyethylene (EPE), is put into a hopper 160, FIG. 14, andthen fed into chamber 162 which includes a die in the shape of device10, FIGS. 1-12I. The chamber is heated and chamber 162 is pressurized.This allows the beads of EPE to shape to the contours of the die. Then acuring phase occurs to allow the EPE form the shape of device 10, e.g.,as shown in FIGS. 1-98. This curing phase occurs in a heated room toallow the polymer to cure.

In another example, therapeutic fitness and sports enhancement device10, may be manufactured with a large sheet of the pliable material iscut using a high speed vertical band saw which forms cylindricallyshaped body 12 and the plurality of shaped projections 14 thereon.

In yet another example, device 10 may include cylindrically shaped body12, FIG. 15 that includes a plurality of bonded sections, e.g., sections19, 21, 23, and 25, each having a plurality of shaped projections 14thereon of a predetermined type, e.g., as shown in any of FIGS. 1-9B.Each of sections 19-25, FIG. 15, is similarly made of a pliablematerial, e.g., closed-cell polyethylene foam, such as MINICEL® L200,L300 or L380 discussed above, and is bonded to each other using a highbonding adhesive. The sheets of the pliable material used for theplurality of bonded sections, e.g., sections 19-25, typically haspredetermined width, e.g., about 2 inches to 3 inches, or up to 4inches, although the sheets of pliable material and the resulting widthof sections 19-25 may have any width as known to those skilled in theart. The shape of the plurality of shaped projections 16 andcylindrically shaped body 12 made of sections 19-25 is similarly formedusing a high speed versatile band saw, as discussed above.

In another embodiment, therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancementdevice 10′, FIG. 16, of this invention includes cylindrically shapedcore 12 and overlay 13 about core 12. Similar as discussed above, one ormore of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter of body12 and overlay 13 in combination with the shape of the projections arechosen to effectively mobilize soft tissue structures of the human body.Overlay 13 includes a plurality of shaped projections 14, similar asdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-9B, which are shaped tomobilize soft tissue structures of the human body and/or improve bodycore strength and balance training and/or enhance flexibility and/oroptimize soft tissue distensibility. Core 12 is similarly made ofpliable material, as discussed above. Overlay 13 is typically made ofMINICEL® L200, L300 or L380. Body 12 and overlay 13 with projections 14thereon may also be formed from an extrusion process or a die castprocess or cut by a high speed foam band saw, as known to those skilledin the art. Similar as discussed above with reference to FIG. 2,projections 14 on overlay 13, FIG. 16, radially extends about ⅛ inchesto about 3 inches from overlay 13, e.g., as indicated at r-70. FIG. 2,as needed to maximize soft tissue mobilization, and improve balance andcore strength training, enhance flexibility and optimize soft tissuedistensibility. Therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement devicepreferably has a density and d10 may have a length as indicated by l-31,FIG. 16, and has a diameter, d-27, FIG. 17, similar to any of theembodiment of device 10 discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-9B.

In one embodiment, therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device10, FIGS. 1-16, may include end caps 212, FIG. 18, on each end of device10.

Therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device 10, FIGS. 1-18, mayalso include handle 300, FIG. 19A. Handle 300 preferably extends thoughopening 302, FIG. 19B, having inner diameter d-304, which can vary fromabout ¼ inch to about 5 inches, e.g., about 2 inches as shown in FIG.19C. Opening 302, FIG. 19B, with inner diameter d-304 is typicallycreated using an extrusion process. Inner sleeve 306 fits inside opening302 and handle 300 extends through inner sleeve 306. Handle 300 may beused for gripping to allow the ridged roll to roll over the soft tissueof the body, e.g., the Quadriceps, Upper Trapezius, Iliotibial band, andthe like, as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 11A-12I.

Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawingsand not in others, this is for convenience only as each feature may becombined with any or all of the other features in accordance with theinvention. The words “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and “with” asused herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively and arenot limited to any physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodimentsdisclosed in the subject application are not to be taken as the onlypossible embodiments. Other embodiments will occur to those skilled inthe art and are within the following claims.

In addition, any amendment presented during the prosecution of thepatent application for this patent is not a disclaimer of any claimelement presented in the application as filed: those skilled in the artcannot reasonably be expected to draft a claim that would literallyencompass all possible equivalents, many equivalents will beunforeseeable at the time of the amendment and are beyond a fairinterpretation of what is to be surrendered (if anything), the rationaleunderlying the amendment may bear no more than a tangential relation tomany equivalents, and/or there are many other reasons the applicant cannot be expected to describe certain insubstantial substitutes for anyclaim element amended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stand-alone therapeutic, fitness, and sportsenhancement device comprising: a cylindrically shaped core having afirst end and a second end and having a longitudinal axis made of closedcell foam, rubber, or plastic and having a diameter of about 3 inches toabout 15 inches; and an overlay completely circumferentially surroundingthe core from about the first end to about the second end, the overlaymade of closed cell foam, rubber, or plastic and including a pluralityof solid projections having a predetermined shape configured to extendinto soft tissue of a user.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which thepredetermined shape of the projections extending from the overlayincludes a rounded shape, a curved shape, a triangle shape, a square, anotch shape, a cylindrical shape with rounded ends, and cylindricalshape with flat ends.
 3. The device of claim 1 in which the projectionslongitudinally extend over a length of the overlay.
 4. The device ofclaim 1 in which the projections extend perpendicular to a longitudinalaxis of the overlay.
 5. The device of claim 1 in which the projectionsradially extend from the overlay at the same angles.
 6. The device ofclaim 1 in which the projections radially extend from the overlay atdifferent angles.
 7. The device of claim 1 in which the projections areconfigured in a wave pattern extending from the overlay.
 8. The deviceof claim 1 in which the projections are configured in a Z patternextending from the overlay.
 9. The device of claim 1 in which theprojections are configured in a helical pattern extending from theoverlay.
 10. The device of claim 1 in which the projections areindividually spaced in a predetermined pattern extending from theoverlay
 11. The device of claim 10 in which the predetermined patternincludes an aligned pattern of a plurality of shaped projectionsextending from the overlay.
 12. The device of claim 10 in which thepredetermined pattern includes an offset pattern of a plurality ofshaped projections extending from the overlay.
 13. The device of claim 1in which the cylindrically shaped core and/or the projections extendingfrom the overlay are made of a pliable material.
 14. The device of claim13 in which the pliable material includes a closed-cell foam material.15. The device of claim 13 in which the closed-cell foam materialincludes a chemically cross-linked polyethylene foam.
 16. The device ofclaim 13 in which the pliable material includes expandable polyethylene.17. The device of claim 13 in which the pliable material includesplastic.
 18. The device of claim 1 further including an end cap on eachend of the device
 19. The device of claim 1 in which the cylindricallyshaped core includes a plurality of bonded sections.
 20. The device ofclaim 1 in which the cylindrically shaped core is manufactured using anextrusion process.